Corruption case setback for Neymar

A Spanish court on Monday dismissed appeals from Neymar and Barcelona over alleged fraud and corruption in the Brazilian star’s transfer from Santos in 2013.

The decision brings the possibility of the player and club facing trial a step closer.

Neymar’s arrival from Brazil’s Santos has been a success for the Spanish champion on the pitch but a judicial nightmare off it.

The 25-year-old Brazilian striker is being investigated in Brazil and Spain over his big-money move to La Liga.

Barcelona originally published the transfer figure as 57.1 million euros ($60.6 million), with 40 million euros of that given to the player’s family.

But Spanish authorities believe the true transfer fee was at least 83 million euros.